Undermanned Raptors fall to Nets

The shorthanded Toronto Raptors lost 88-94 against the Brooklyn Nets in NBA action here for their 19th defeat.

The loss Wednesday night was the sixth consecutive for the Raptors, who fell to 4-19 on the season. The 19 losses is a league high, one more than Cleveland and Washington, who have 18 each, reports Xinhua.

The Raptors dressed only nine players due to the injuries of two starters and a suspension of a key reserve, all incurred from their previous game against the Portland Trailblazers.

Guard Kyle Lowry injured his right triceps muscle and is sidelined for approximately 10 days. Meanwhile, forward-centre Andrea Bargnani is out indefinitely from a ligament tear in his right elbow and a strained right wrist.

Raptors head coach Dwane Casey also missed the presence of forward-centre Amir Johnson, who was serving a one-game suspension for throwing his mouthpiece at an official during Monday's loss to Portland.

"You always miss a guy like Amir - his energy, his experience and the way he plays. I think that a learning experience for him, doing something that was out of character for him and out of character for this organisation," said Casey during the post-game press conference.

Casey also praised the performance of forward Ed Davis, who started in place of Bargnani.

"Ed was big time... a big step for him in his growth process. He's a young kid, making big strides. I was really proud of the way Eddie played," said Casey.

Davis, who matched a career-high 24 points in the loss, admits that the team struggled with fatigue in the second half of the game.

"We ran out of gas, it was obvious we were shorthanded. We can take a positive (out of the game), but we don't want a moral victory," said Davis following the game.